Court Discharges And Acquits Former Minister of 16 Count Charge
The Federal High Court coram Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo in a ruling delivered today, 28th March, 2022, has discharged and acquitted a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs and former supervising Minister, Ministry of Labour, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN of 16 Count Charge bordering on corruption and money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in prosecuting the matter called twelve (12) witnesses and tendered several documents in the course of the proceedings; including a letter from the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, requesting for the information regarding the case file which was tendered through cross-examination. The prosecution witness admitted that the Commission did not honour the request of the Attorney General and this very act of the Commission was adjudged by the Honourable Court as unconstitutional, thus vitiating the charge.
The Court further considered and upheld the No Case Submission filed on behalf of the Defendants charged alongside the former Honourable Minister. The Court noted that the evidence presented by the Prosecution were adduced by tainted witnesses.
The Court concluded its Ruling on the note that the case of the Prosecution was manifestly controverted on cross-examination and that it was unnecessary to invite the Defendants to enter their defence. The Court then discharged and acquitted the four (4) Defendants, including the former Minister.
The Defence team of the former
Minister which was led by Chief Ayodele, SAN and co led by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, appreciated the Court for the ruling.
Chief Gadzama stated that the threshold ruling as it relates to the Commission’s flagrant neglect to the request of the Attorney General of the Federation, being the Chief legal officer is a well considered and thoughtful one.
He further stated that that he will be engaging the Chairman of the EFCC with the position of the Court in relation to the Attorney General of Federation’s request, as he will soon be visiting the Chairman with other members of the NBA-SARC which he chairs.
